NICHOLASVILLE — What a weekend it has been for Wilkelver Gaviria-Zuleta and the South Laurel Cardinals.
Gaviria-Zuleta Was an unstoppable force at the plate during the Cardinals’ three-game stay in the Erinn Thompson Classic. He connected with five home runs, and drove in 12 RBI as South Laurel (18-10) had wins over East Jessamine (6-5), Ashland Blazer (9-8), and Rockcastle County (16-5).
“It was a great day to be a Cardinal,” South Laurel coach Trey Smith said. “We got three really good wins this weekend. The bats were on all day today. Led by Wilkelver Zuleta, who had five home runs and 12 RBI in three games. We also got a lot of young pitchers on the mound this weekend. I’m very happy with our performance.”
South Laurel built a 6-1 lead against Ashland but the Tom Cats scored five runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at six apiece before adding two more runs in the top of the Sox to take an 8-6 edge.
A solo home run by Gaviria-Zuleta, combined with an run-scoring double by Waylon Hensley in the bottom of the sixth inning tied the game at eight apiece while Carter Kelley’s sacrifice fly that scored Reece Noble one batter later, turned out to be the game-winning run.
The Cardinals had a bit easier game against Rockcastle County after both teams scored three runs apiece in the first inning. Led by Gaviria-Zuleta‘s two home-run, seven RBI effort, South Laurel used a five-run third inning and an eight-run fifth inning to beat the Rockets, 16-5.
Carter Kelley, and Brody Garland both connected with two hits while driving in three runs apiece. Noble had two hits and scored three times while Jackson Catching drove in two runs with a hit.
